Tent



' D 0, 1930- s. E. WRIGLEY.

TENT

Filed Nov. 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l v. 0 m V Dec. 30, 1930. s. E. WRIGLEY TENT Filed Nov. '7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. '39, 1930 YATES TENT Application. filed November 7, 1929, Serial No. 405,502, and in Canada May 2?, 1929.

The invention relates to improvements in tents and an object of the invention is to provide a comparatively light inexpensive and durable frame structure wl ich can be easily and quickly set up to support the customary tent canvas and which is arranged so that certain parts can be readily folded and others collapsed in order to take less room for storage and transportation purposes.

A further object of the invention is to construct a frame structure embodying an extensible and contractible ri .ge pole carried by demountable tripod-like pairs of end legs ahd to associate with the legs means for eftectively gripping the ends of the ridge pole when the frame is set up, said means quickly releasing the ridge pole to allow the withdrawal of the same when the legs are swung together.

A further object of the invention is to associate with the folding legs cradles and opposing clamping jaws designed in the spreading of the legs to grab hold of theridge pole and in the movement of the legs 111 the reverse direction to release the ridge pole.

A further object is to construct the ridge pole from a number of sections permitting the same to be extended or shortened in length as occasion requires and to provide the rid e pole with means whereby the same can be nrinly held in any adjusted position.

A still further objectof the invention is to associate hooks with the cradles for suspending desired articles.

With the above 'more'important and other minor objects in view which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the arrangeinentand construction of parts here inafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my tent as it appears set up a portion of the canvas covering being torn away to show interior construction.

2 is a side view oi the collapsible "frame structure for spreading and supportin the canvas covering.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of he parts apper ing in Figure 2.

Fig. et is an enlarged detailed perspective view of the upper ends. of a pair of the legs and showing the parts associated therewitl Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing one end of the ridge pole.

6 is a face view of the parts appearing in F igure 4:.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view at 77 Figure 5.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional View at 88 Figure 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed vertical sec tional view at 99 Figure 2.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional View at 10 10 Figure 3.

Fig. llis an enlarged detailed perspective view of one of the lower corners of the tent showing the eye in the floor.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The collapsible take-down frame structure which I have provided and as later described is utilized for supporting and stretching the well lrnown type of canvas tent 1 which went up or in use is of an inverted V-shape in cross section and is provided with a sewn-in iioor 2 and has one end fitted with a screen 8 forming a window and the other end with flaps l pro ided with suitable fastening means and allowing of entrance to the tent. The floor 2 is provided at each corner with an eye 5 providing a hole 6 utilized for the purposes later disclosed.

Where the tent 1 has a sewnin floor, I find it unnecessary when the tent is set up to provide anchors or guides for holding the tent to the ground. In cases. however, where the tent is not provided with a canvas floor, it will be necessary to anchor the canvas either to the tent legs or to the ground.

The frame structure which I utilize for supporting and efiectively stretching the tent is now described in detail and it comprises a ridge pole indicated generaly by the reference numeral 7 and pairs of front and rear legs 8, 9, 10 and 11 supporting the ridge pole. The ridge pole comprises a pair loo similar spaced equal length side bars 12 and 13 which are provided on their inner sides with lengthwise extending centrally disposed opposing guiding tongues or ribs 1aand 15 and the bars are fastened to one another a fixed distance apart centrally of their length by spacing clip 16 interposed between the bars as best shown in Figure 9 the body part of the clip embodying vertical arms 1''? and 18 engaging the inner faces of the bars andwebs l9 connecting the arms. The upper and lower ends of the arms terminate in opposing pairs of awe 20 and 21 which firmly grip the edges of the bars passed there between.

Both ends of the bars 12 and 13 are provided *ith similar clamps which are constructed best shown in Figure 8. Each clamp embodies a strap 22 fastened by screws 23 to the outer face of the bar and the straps have their upper and lower ends outturned to provide guiding lingers 2e and 25, the fingers overlying and underlying in pairs the open space reserved between the ends of the bars. A bolt 26 passes centrally through the straps and the bar and is provid d with a winged nut 27 for clamping purposes.

The central section of the ridge pole which embodies the bars 12 and 13 carries similar adjustable end sections 28 and 29 which can be extended or withdrawn in res 38Gb to the central section in order to increase or diminish. the length of the ridge pole. The end sections are both identically constructed so that the description of one will suffice.

Each end section has the inner end thereof slidably received between the bars 12 and 13 and passing between the pairs of fingers and it is fashioned so that the ribs or tongues l t and 15 guide the end sections when they are being shifted in and out. According to the present construction, I have made each end section of the ridge pole from upper and lowor sticks 80 and 31 held by connections later described a suitable distance apart to provide a slot 32 therebetween and having their inner corners cut away as indicated at t provide guideways for the tongues or ribs Li and 15. The inner ends of the sticks have a spacing block placed therebetween and they are permanently fastened together through the block by a rivet 35, suitable wash ers 36 being applied on the outer ends of the rivets. The outer ends of the sticks are both provided with outer and inner elongated wearing plates 37 and 88, the wearing plates 38 spacing the outer ends of the sticks apart and being provided with side flanges 39 and one of the latter plates at its inner end with outstanding lugs 10 and ll. The plates and 3S and the sticks are all fastened together by vertical rivets passing through such parts. It will be here observed that the outer end of th upper stick is notched away as best shown in Figure 7 so that the outer end of the end section is somewhat reduced in height.

From the above it will be apparent that the plates serve to amply reinforce and protect the wooden ends of the sticks. The ridge pole so constructed is convenient for transporting and storing purposes it can be readily collapsed by releasing the winged nuts 27 and sliding the end sections inwardly nail the inner ends thereof butt against the spacing clip 16 at which time the outer ends of the end sections are only protruding a slight distance beyond the outer ends of the main or central section.

When collapsed, one can tighten up the winged nuts to effectively clamp the end sections in place.

The pairs of legs 8 9, 10 and 11 together with the fittings associated therewith are all similarly constructed so that the description of one pair will suffice. Each leg of the pair is formed from a wooden bar of predetermined length which bar is longitudinally split for a part of its length to provide a forked upper end. The lower end of the ba r is provided with a protecting socket 43 having an anchoring spike a l extending groundward therefrom. The bars are also supplied adjacent the point where the forks join with an applied band 45 preventing splitting at such point. Approximately midway between the band 4.) and the upper ends of the forks, I focate a spacer 4:6 which is of the same type as that at 16 and serves to not only space the forks apart but grips them.

The upper end of each fork of the pair is received within a band e7 formed as part of a channel shaped plate t8, the plate receiving also the fork and being fastened thereto by a bolt 4:9. The plates -8 of the leg forks are connected at their upper ends by an. inwardly eX-tendin curved jaw 50, suitable ribs 51 being provided between the bands and the jaw to reinforce the jaw. The plates are also connected by a tie bar 52 extending between the inner flanges thereof and as herein constructed, the bands, plates, ribs tie rod and jaw associated with each pair of forks are all integrally cast.

The pairs of legs are connected together at their upper ends by a pair of similar open centered heads 53, each head embodying a curved spanner portion 54, spaced downwardly extending side arms 55 and 56 extending from the spanner and a U-shaped cradle 5'? connecting the lower ends of the arms.

The heads are pivotally connected by pivot gins 58 and 59 to the bands t? in the manner best shown in Figures 4 and 6, the arrangement being such that the heads serve to connect the pairs of forks in a manner that each leg is permitted free swinging movement. It will be observed also that the ends of the jaws 50 are extended to enter the enlarged upper ends of the openings in the heads and that the openings are sufficiently large to allow of the free movement within certain limits of the jaws upon the pair of legs being swung together or apart as occasion demands. The ends of the-jaws also overlie the cradles 57 and the arrangement is such that upon one end of the ridge pole being inserted between the cradles and the overlying jaws and the legs subsequently spread, the entered end of the ridge pole will be firmly gripped between the jaws and the cradles. Conversely the closing in of the legs will release the entered end of the ridge pole and allow the same to be removed. The plates 37 on the ends of the ridge pole engage the jaws and sockets, when entered therebetween so that there will be very little wearing of the parts when in use and an effective grip will be insured and also an easy withdrawal.

The cradles associated with each pair of legs are provided with hooks 60 and 61, the hooks 60 being to the outer side of the legs when the same are erected and those 61 to the inner side. The hooks 60 may be utilized to advantage to suspend the end rings of a hammock (not shown) in which the occupant of the tent may rest. I have found that a tent frame constructed as shown will Very efiectively support a hammock as it is quite rigid. The hooks 61 may be used for supporting a lantern, wearing apparel or other articles.

hen it is desired to set up a tent such as that shown having a sewn-in floor, one will enter the tent taking one pair of legs and the ridge pole with him. The legs will be closed together sufficiently to allow one end of the ridge pole to be entered between the jaws and the cradles, the lugs 40 and 41 at this time engaging the inner head. The legs which at this time will have an in-canted position, are then spread and the spikes 4a are passed through the holes 6 of the floor and pressed into the ground, the amount of spread of the legs being such that the floor is stretched smooth. At such time, the jaws and cradles will be effectively gripping the ridge pole. f

One then sets the ridge pole sections so that their total length will be somewhat less than the overall length of the tent. The other pair ,of legs is then placed within the tent with the spikes passing through the eyes and the floor non-stretched at that end. The adjoining end section of the ridge pole is then extended to pass between the jaws and cradles of the latter legs and when properly extended is fastened by the winged nuts, the peakof the tent at such time being fully extended. One then lifts the leg at one corner of the tent and swings it out to cause the jaws and cradles to grip the ridge "pole and to effect the spreading of the floor. The spike is then entered in the ground. When the frame embodying the legs and ridge pole is so set up, the tent will be effectively stretched and anchored and ready for occupancy. x By making the legs and ridge pole for the greater part of wood,,they are light and the various joints provided allow of the legs being folded together and of the ridge pole being collapsed so that they do not take much room when stored or being transported. The whole supporting structure when set up is very strong and presents a neat and pleasing appearance and very little fitting is required to complete the work.

What I claim as my invention is 2 1. A tent frame structure comprising a ridge pole, pairs of pivotally connected legs and ridge pole receiving and clamping means carried by the pairs of legs and em-* bodying cradles and. jaws between which the ends of the ridge pole are passed 2A tent frame structure comprising a ridge pole, pairs of'legs, a head pivotally connecting the upper ends of eachpair oflegs and holding the same in spaced relation, a cradle associated with the head and a grip-v ping jaw located at the upper end of each leg and overlying the cradle, said jaws and cradles being adapted to receive therebet-ween the ends of the ridge pole.

3. In a tent structure, ridge pole supporting means comprising an open centered ridge I pole" receiving head, saidhead embodying a cross portion underlying the entered ridge pole, a'pair of legs having their upper ends spaced apart and pivotally connected to the head and inwardly extending jaws carried by the upper ends of the legs and opposing the cross portion aforesaid of the head.

4. In a tent structure, ridge pole supporting means comprising an open centered head adapted to receive. the ridge. pole and pro vided with a cradle engageable with the under side of the entered'ridge pole, a pair of legs having their upper ends spaced apart and pivotally connected to the head and a pair of jaws carried by the legs and overly ing the entered ridge pole, said jaws and cradle gripping the ridge pole therebetween during the out spreading of the lower ends of the legs. 7 j

5. Ina tent structure, ridge pole supporting means comprising a pair oflegs having their upper endsforked, opposing open centered 'ridge-pole-receiving heads pivotally connecting and spacing the forked ends of the pair of legs, said heads embodyin'gicradle like members underlying the end of the entered ridge pole and opposing inturned jaws connecting the forks of each leg and normally overlying the ridge pole, said jaws and cradles being designed to jam the ridge.

pole in the out spreading of the lower ends of the legs.

6. In a tent structure, ridge pole supporting means comprising a pair of legs having the upper ends thereof forked, channel plates secured to the upper ends of the forks and embodying bands surrounding the forks, a pair of opposing open centered heads pivotally connected to and spacing the forks of the pair of legs, said heads embodying cradles underlying the entered ridge pole and opposing inturned jaws connecting the plates in pairs, said jaws having their ends overlying the cradles and being adapted in the out spreading of the lower ends of the legs to grip the entered end of the ridge pole.

7 In a tent structure, ridge pole supporting means comprising a pair of legs having the upper ends thereof forked, channel plates secured to the upper ends of the forks and embodying bands surrounding the forks, a pair 0 opposing open-centered heads pivotally connected to and spacing the forks of the pair of legs, said heads embodying cradles underlying the entered ridge pole, opposing inturned jaws connecting the plates in pairs, said aws having their ends overlying the cradles and being adapted in the out spreading of the lower ends of the'l'egs to grip the entered end of the ridge pole and suspending hooks carried by the under sides of the saddles.

8. In a tent structure, a ridge pole comprising a central section, similar end sections slidably attached for in and out movement to the central section and means for fastening the sliding sections to the main section in the various adjusted positions thereof.

9. In a tent structure, a ridge pole comprising a central section embodying opposing equal length side bars, a spacing clip interposed between the bars centrally of their length and fastening them together, similar end sections entered for endwise sliding movement between the side bars and means for clamping the end sections to the central section in the various adjusted positions thereof.

10. In a tent structure, a ridge pole coin- Jrising a central section embodying opposlng equal length side bars, a spacing clip interposed between the bars centrally of their length and fastening them together, similar end sections entered for endwise sliding movement between the side bars, bolts connecting the outer ends of the side bars together, said bolts passing through longitudinal slots provided in the end sectionsv and clamping nuts provided on the bolts.

11. In a tent structure, a ridge pole comprising a central section formed from opposing sidebars fastened together centrally of their length in spaced relation and provided on their inner faces with longitudinally extending tongues, similar end sections slidably entered between the side bars and having their outer faces slidably receiving the tongues and clamping bolts connecting the outer ends of the side bars and extending through longitudinally extending slots provided in the end sections.

12. In a tent structure, a ridge pole comprising a central section formed from opposing side bars fastened together centrally of their length in spaced relation and provided on their inner faces with longitudinally extending tongues, similar end sections slidably entered between the side bars and having their outer faces slidably receiving the tongues, straps permanently fastened to the ends of the side bars and having their ends terminating in fingers overlying and underlying the intervening end sectioi'i and clamping bolts connecting the ends of the bars and passing through the straps and entering longitudinally extending slots provided in the end sections.

Signed at Vinnipeg, this 10th day of July,

SYII ANUS E. WRIGLEY. 

